Maudie

Congratulations to all you losers!!!! I am down 40lbs from the start of this Quest on July 1st. I was banded on July 22nd. I will get my first fill, maybe, on Sept. 10th. I have not been hungry or sick. I feel as though something has clicked on in my brain....finally! That is where weight loss starts for all of us. It looks like July was a great month for banding!

My surgery was on the 22nd. I haven't had a fill and am losing just fine. I have yet to have any type of hungar pains. I was on shakes for 3 weeks prior to surgery. I can eat anything I want, but I eat very small amounts. If I eat too much, I feel uncomfortable. Maybe my stomach has become used to eating smaller amounts! I am 32 lbs lighter! That's what counts!

I was banded on the 22nd. As of today, I am 32 lbs lighter than I was before starting the pre-op diet and post-op. I am still losing about 5 lbs a week. I will see the dr again on 9/10. As long as I am losing that much, he may not want to do a fill. I have been able to eat just about anything, but don't. I am following a very strict, but not unrealistic, diet. Mostly protein with carbs.

Frypan, I am not sure how much you have to lose, but everyone is different and will lose accordingly. I was banded on July 22th. I weighed almost 10lbs heavier after surgery, but it went away, finally. I saw my dr today, and I have lost over the course of the liquid diet for 3 weeks pre-op, and one week post-op, plus a week of mushies, 4.6 lbs per week! That is a total on 23lbs. That is also with some heavy shoes on. On my scales at home I have lost between 23-27 lbs. I was fortunate not to have gas pain after the first week. Tomorrow I am starting to Water walk, as I have terrible arthritis. Don't give up and give in to the frustration. The lap-band has worked in millions of patients. It is only a tool to help, the rest is up to us. Have a sugar-free ice pop!:thumbup:

I had to be at the hospital at 6 am on July 22nd. I met with my doctor, his assistant, the anestheisist and one other person before they came in to take me to the OR. I remember being wheeled out of the pre-op, but that's it. I woke up in recovery, feeling bloated and dry-mouthed. No, my IV didn't hurt, at all. In fact, my hand was numbed before they inserted the IV. I was also given a tiny Heprin shot in my tummy, which I couldn't feel. I know my surgery was delayed, but I don't know how long. I wasn't back in my own private room until a little before noon. I was given a sip of Water at that time. This is the first surgery....ever....that I didn't throw up afterwards! I was walking down the hallway within a couple of hours. I took three strolls before nightime. I was never given more than a sip of water, maybe with a bit of ice while I was in the hospital. I have restless leg syndrome and didn't have any meds for that at the hospital. The dr did not know, so left no meds for it. That bothered me more than anything! My bodily functions returned the next morning with no problems. I was taken to X-ray for the barium swallow. Whatever they gave me before the barium was yucky. After that was deemed okay, the nurse came and took out my IV and gave me my discharge papers. I was taken home by my daughter and have had no problems. I was not happy to see about 8 lbs gained by surgery, but that has just about dissappeared now. I have been on liquids for a week. Today I start mushies. I have yet to be hungry. I am a stomach sleeper, and can do that as of last night. I have no staples, stitches or steri strips. I am glued together and have a little bruising. I personally found the 3rd day to be the most trying, or perhaps tiring.

Your body can only handle 20 grams of Protein at one time. Any more than that amount will only be discarded by your body. I break down my Proteins in that amount, or close to it. This was told to me by my nephew, a very good surgeon.

Yes, that was with just shakes for the most part. I munched on a little celery and baby carrots. I also had a small organic spring greens salad with 3 oz of white tuna (in water) with a TBS of plain yogart about 4 times. I used Mrs Dash in the yogart. I am to drink 5 shakes a day, but only managed 3 most of the time. I think I drank 4 on two days. I mix 6 oz to 8 oz of cold water with ice (I get the softer kind from Sonic or Braums) in a blender with the shakes. I added a pkg of Slpenda or 2 cups of sugar-free syrups for different taste. I also found that with the strawberry or rasberry(made from vanilla) that a squeeze of lime juice helps give it a zester or fresher taste. I also use caramel sugar-free syrup and cinnamon for a great taste to vanilla shakes. I also put white chocolate sugar-free syrup in the chocolate and strawberry shakes. I also have used black walnut flavoring, peppermint flavoring and pecan flavoring in the chocolate and vanilla as well. I had cut back a lot on food, so I can say I have only felt hunger maybe a couple of times. I also drink a lot of water! I am not a cofee or tea drinker and don't like Crystal Light or Kool Aid.

After being on the Optifast shakes for two weeks, I have lost 21 lbs! I saw my dr yesterday and he was vera, vera pleased! I still have until the 22nd, my surgery day, so hope to lose some more! I have lost 37 lbs the last 3 months. Great way to kick start this thing! Dr. thought I was very determined!

Went for my pre-op today! I have lost a total of 21 lbs and 4 points off my BMI! Dr. Kim hugged me! I can't wait until next week to get the surgery part over. Good luck to all who are getting banded this month.

Lisa, that really sucks, but don't let it get you down. I would certainly inquire about the doctor being out of network, however. They could schedule you with someone that perhaps is in your network. I would call the ins. and ask. I went to my post op today. I had lost 21.38 lbs since I was there 2 weeks ago! My BMI was down 4 pts! The Doctor hugged me! Told me I must be a very determined lady. I said, "You think?". I have one week left on Optifast before surgery on the 22nd. I actually ate a sandwich went I got home, as it will be the last one for a long time. Back to the shakes tonight!:cool2:

I live in the metro area. Dr. David Kim is my doctor. My surgery is the 22nd of July at NRH Hospital. You can certainly talk to me. I have been on the Optifast for two weeks yesterday, with a total of 20 lbs gone. I have a week left. Since he was worried about my liver, with my diabetes, I had three weeks of pre diet shakes. He asks that we stay on a liquid diet for one week after surgery.